Final answer:
Vulnerability factors are characteristics, conditions, situations, or events that increase a patient's vulnerability to threats to safety or well-being. Some examples of these factors include traumatic events, life changes, and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Step-by-step explanation:
Vulnerability factors are characteristics, conditions, situations, or events that increase a patient's vulnerability to threats to safety or well-being. These factors can range from traumatic events, such as military combat or natural disasters, to life changes like marriage or moving. Some individuals who experience stressors of extreme magnitude can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is characterized by intrusive and painful memories, persistent negative emotional states, and avoidance of reminders of the event.